15 Best Things to Do in Corpus Christi (Texas)

Straddling its very own bay on the Gulf Coast of southern Texas, the city of Corpus Christi began life as humble outpost in the midst of no man’s land between the continental United States and Mexico to the south.

Battles were fought and won on its peripheries, while Corpus itself grew and grew into one of the largest ports in the United States, shipping oodles of agricultural goods and oil out into the water channels of the Mexican Gulf. Today, the spot is famed for its untouched beaches and the reserves of Padre Island (the largest of their kind on the planet), while a truly multicultural vibe means everyone form Tex-Mex-eating Hispanic folk to long-haired surfers meet between the microbreweries and seaside shrimp stalls.

Add to that some pretty awesome museums, like the Texan Aquarium and USS Lexington, pirate history and oodles of great nature parks, and Corpus Christi becomes a top choice for travelers hitting the Lone Star State!

1. Enjoy the delights of the Padre Island National Seashore

Arching its way down from the shorelines of Corpus Christi city to the borderlands with Mexico in the south, the Padre Island National Seashore stretches a whopping 70 miles along the Gulf, making it one of the largest swathes of untouched barrier island on the globe!

Complete with undulating dunes of grass-topped sand, virgin beaches, and shifting hills of sand bars, the protected area rarely fails to draw a gasp.

Not only is it located right on the Central Flyway for migratory birds, playing host to everything from brown pelicans to piping plovers, but it’s also one of the top spots to help with conservation efforts to save the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle!